The Makati City Prosecutor’s Office filed on Tuesday criminal charges before the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) against 15 persons linked to the death of a 19-year-old University of Makati student in an initiation ceremony held in the city.

In a resolution signed and approved by City Prosecutor Feliciano Aspi, the prosecutor’s office found probable cause against suspects John Reynald Marin, Roesel Wesceslao, Michael Pagulayan, Rico Mansalapus, and 11 others who remain at large, based on the evidence submitted by the Makati City Police chief, Senior Superintendent Froilan Bonifacio.

No bail was recommended against the four suspects, who are members of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity, now behind bars after voluntarily surrendering to the city police days after the hazing rites occurred in Barangay San Antonio last August 14.

A minor suspect is also under the custody of the Makati Social Welfare Department (MSWD).

The prosecutor’s office is also preparing the issuance of subpoeanas to 11 others who were named as participants in the hazing. They were identified as Haren Ray Tigno, Jorie Ann Acob, Sheldon Derrick Soriano, Raycon Vargas, Ronnel Galas, Mar Anthony Laroza, John Paul Buban, Jeven Soquita, Kim de Roxas, Niko Moreto and Noel Mallari. Preliminary investigation has been set for September 7 and 14.

The suspects have been charged with violation of Republic Act 8049 or the Anti- Hazing Law. Under the law, Section 4 (a) of the Anti-Hazing Law imposes a penalty of reclusion perpetua in case of death as a result of the hazing. The law also specifies that officers and members of the fraternity “who actually participated in the infliction of physical harm shall be liable as principals.”

According to Prosecutor Lody Tancioco, the personal notebook of Intia and the leaflets submitted by his father, Oscar, established that the 19-year-old EJ Karl Intia, a building and wiring management student, at that time of his death had applied and was undergoing initiation to be a member of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) fraternity.

The Makati RTC will raffle the case on Thursday.

Intia’s body was retrieved from a 30-meter deep ravine at Km 99, Marcos Highway, Barangay Laurel, Sta. Maria, Laguna, last August 15.

He was identified by his father, Oscar Initia, in a funeral home in Laguna last August 20.

According to investigation, the initiation rites occurred on August 14 at 8406 Mayapis St., Barangay San Antonio, Makati.

Police said Intia sustained major bruises on his legs commonly seen in fraternity neophytes who had undergone paddling during initiation rites.

The body bore bruises particularly at the back of both thighs and traces of tallow or melted candles at the lower back area. There are also wounds on the head and bruises on the arms that the investigators suspect may have been caused by the fall in the ravine.

The autopsy revealed that the victim died from traumatic injuries to the head and lower extremities.